Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) — after much speculation that he would — has officially thrown his hat into the GOP pool of presidential hopefuls.
WASHINGTON — Rep. Ron Paul, an iconoclastic Texas Republican with a pronounced libertarian streak, on Monday officially entered the crowded GOP presidential primary field in his second bid for the White House.
The Lake Jackson Republican, who was the Libertarian Party’s presidential nominee in 1988, launched his unconventional candidacy in unconventional fashion: with an understated announcement during an early-morning C-SPAN call-in show.
I wrote a rather lenghty examination of Rep. Ron Paul here last month.
I haven’t endorsed Rep. Paul’s canidacy yet (but I’m leaning heavily in that direction at the moment — and I know Rep. Paul’s campaign in waiting on needles for me to do so…). But some of the reason’s I am considering him:
- An unassailable military record — Served in the US Air Force (1963-1968) as a flight surgeon.
- Hasn’t always been a member of the political elite ruling class (though he has been for a long time now) — in addition to his honorable military service (which no other candidate other than Sen. John McCain can claim), Dr. Paul is also an M.D. (obstetrician) who has delivered more than 4,000 babies.
- A true conservative in terms of limited government — he consistently votes against almost all proposals for government spending, initiatives, or taxes.
- He’s a Texan.
On some of the big issues of the day, here’s where Rep. Paul stands:
- Foregin Policy — advocates a strict non-interventionist foreign policy.
- Economics — opposes nearly all government intervention in the market and supports the abolition of the income tax, most Cabinet departments and the Federal Reserve.
- Abortion — Paul is pro-life. However, he believes that the United States Constitution does not grant the federal government any authority to legalize or ban abortion. He believes that abortion is “not a constitutional issue†and should be a decision left to the legislatures of the states.
- Gay Marriage — believes that defining and recognizing marriages is not a federal or constitutional matter, but should be left as the States’ right.
- Immigration — believes in securing the borders, rejecting amnesty, and reclaiming our right as a sovereign nation to control immigration without apology. Also opposes “anchor-baby†entitlements.
Watch Rep. Paul discuss some of these issues on CNN:
Other than all that, what does Rep. Paul think separates him from the other nominees?
But Paul contends he offers something frontrunners Rudy Giuliani, John McCain and Mitt Romney don’t: a philosophy of limited government that could appeal to conservatives disaffected by federal spending and the war in Iraq.
Paul, nicknamed “Dr. No” for his insistence on voting against every piece of legislation he believes isn’t specifically enumerated in the Constitution, said he offers “the credibility of advocating limited government.”
From a dirty, mud-slinging campaign perspective, Rep. Paul is the one GOP candidate that should probably scare Hillary, Obama, and the Silky Pony more than any others. He is — and always has been — to the left of any of them on the Iraq war. He’s lauded by his fellow Congressmen (on both sides) as one of the most consistently principled men in the House. He has more leadership and political experience than almost all of the other candidates combined.
All of which means that he has no shot in hell of getting the nomination.
Mar 13, 2007  - Anawim RON PAUL ANNOUNCES FOR PRESIDENT WHILE CHUCK HAGEL MAKES A ‘NON …  - Mar 13, 2007  - Tom Pauken A Ship Lost At Sea  - Mar 12, 2007  - Jeremy M. Barker Ron Paul Joins Presidential Race  - Mar 13, 2007  - Robbie
Wondering what’s up with George Pataki? Well Pataki and senior aide John Cahill joined the law firm Chadbourne & Parke LLP as Counsel, who will focus on energy, environmental and corporate matters…. Learn about Ron Paul…. Wesley Clark thinks another run for president “everyday†… Quick look at the candidates’ positions on abortion, same-sex marriage, global warming, health care, immigration, iran, iraq and stem cell research
Well, maybe the Party won’t nominate him, but he sure has some appeal as far as I’m concerned (cept my son in law works for the Federal Reserve lol)
Ron Paul rocks!!!
Ron Paul is great on economic issues. He’s even quite good on some civil liberties issues like drug legalization. But his views on foreign policy are utterly atrocious.
My former boss believes that if we just leave the Islamo-Fascists they’ll go away and leave us alone. If that were the case then why are they rampaging across non-interventionist Europe, murdering Jews and critics of Islam, stoning Gays and Prostitutes, and declaring themselves to have Independent Enclaves under Sharia law in major Euro-cities?
Ron Paul is naiive at best, on foreign policy issues. Shame, real shame. Cause here in his South Texas District he campaigned as a Pro-America, Pro-Defense, Red, white & blue, Bush-supporting candidate.
Eric Dondero, Fmr. Senior Aide
US Congressman Ron Paul
1997-2003
An American rebuttal in response to Mr. Dondero and his opinions of Dr. Paul and his foreign policy beliefs.
Mr. Dondero,
I would rather die at the hand of terrorism than die enslaved to my own government. No president has ever claimed to have crafted his own foreign policy. Seek American Unity. Vote Ron Paul in 2008.
He reminds me of Clinton. Wants to cut funding for the military. $700 billion is a lot of money, but what price can one put on security?
Warren, government enslavement isn’t heavy taxation. It’s relocating you to a collective farm, not allowing basic freedoms, etc. Do some research on the Soviet Union or the Chinese Communists, and you’ll see what I mean. Your government isn’t enslaving you (assuming you live in the USA), so I must say I’m deeply confused as to where you’re getting this from.
I really like the looks of this guy. That last sentence, sadly, sums it up, tho.
This guy looks good. I really like his foreign policy – good luck to him and the American people.
I don’t know whether to laugh or cry… please people; *stop laughing Jimmal* please, we are not being overrun by “Islamo-Facists” (excellent term – stop laughing), honestly, it’s all quite cosy over here.
In all seriousness, Eric, that kind of mindless crap really could scare people; it’s blatantly untrue.
I guess your home-state boosterism is fine but really isn’t Texas batting 0 for 3, already?
Jimmal, perhaps you should read this:
Or are you one of them?
I’m not a Muslim if that is what you mean Nazar.
This is getting OT, but I think it is dangerous to suggest that Islamo-Facists are rampaging across Europe, “murdering Jews and critics of Islam, stoning Gays and Prostitutes, and declaring themselves to have Independent Enclaves under Sharia law in major Euro-cities”.
I have spent 2 weeks in Italy, 2 weeks in France, 1 day in Switzerland, 3 days in Holland and the remainder of my last 6 months within the UK. It is extremely important that America realises, there is no rampage.
Jimmal, first of all, don’t take umbrage at what I said. I wasn’t trying to offend you or to be combatative with you. BTW, have you read the article I linked? I highly suggest it.
Except for a few cases, such as the Mohammed cartoon riots, and the rioting in Parisian suburbs, there is no Islamic rampage in Europe. Instead, it is a process of cultural transformation from an ultra-liberal Western culture to an Islamic culture. You can see it in the burka-clad women on the streets of London, you can see it in the French chief rabbi telling Jews to not wear skull-caps for fear of violence, and you can see it in the process of self-censorship that most of the mainstream media engages in, both in the USA and Europe, when it comes to Islam.
I wasn’t particularly offended Nazar, thanks.
I read the article with much interest. The cartoon riots were disgraceful and I hope we never have to see such scenes again. The Parisian riots were troubling, however they were more a reflection on the treatment of a developing ‘under-class’; consisting largely of 2nd generation African / Algerian immigrants.
I am strongly against all organised religion, however I appreciate and value differences of culture. Burka clad women on the streets of London? This is not an issue – people can wear whatever they want.
We are witnessing a degree of social change in order to cope with threats both real and perceived. However, back to the story here; I hotly dispute the use of terminolgy by Eric Dondero, Fmr. Senior Aide, to US Congressman Ron Paul. I repeat, there is no rampage in Europe, such talk serves only to heighten fear and all the crap that brings.